Neal was tranferred to ICU this afternoon. He had some bleeding when he went to the bathroom and his blood pressure was low. Over here he can get more attention. He is receiving platelettes, blood transfusions, whole blood, fluids and antibiotics. He has tubes all over the place! He has some kind of infection so they are treating him him a potent antiobiotic until they get cultures back on the specific type. When I was walking down the hallway to his room and looking in to the other rooms I though oh boy, this must be bad. Although he is not his chipper joke telling self, he looks pretty good and is doing better. His blood pressure still is low but they are working on that as well.
Last spring I was asked to speak at a woman’s bible study that was today. Their theme was “Yours Are the Hands Of Christ.” Each week was a different topic like helping hands, giving hands, open hands. My topic was Healing Hands. The timing wasn’t what I would have picked with all that is going on but I viewed this as a divine appointment from God. Part of the I shared my story and some of the things that others have done for us that has been healing. I also shared that I don’t understand why God hasn’t healed Neal here on earth but I do know that His ways are best. I can trust him to carry me through because He has done it in the past and I know He will continue in whatever lays ahead. I have experience the peace that can only come from Him!
I also spoke about looking for the blessings and not focusing on the negatives or what you don’t have. I had a big blessing today in addition to the women this morning. We have gotten to be friends with another stem cell transplant couple from Coloma. He was admitted to the hopital yesterday as well for an infection. As I was waiting for the elevator last night before I came home a woman said to me, “Are you Trish Smith? You don’t know me but I know about you from this other couple and an employee at our office.” They live in Bridgman AND she grew up in the same suburb of Chicago that I did!
Trish and Neal, we are praying for God’s strength and comfort for both of you. We continue to uplift both of you in prayer. Dee & John
We love you both and are earnestly praying along with the rest of the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding you! The Lord is with you and He is good to those who call upon His Name.
Resting with you in His Faithfulness…Dawn and Steve McCreery
Dear Ones
We are praying; remembering you at the beginning of each hour—daytime hours, that is! ☺ -I’ll ask God to have people you know who are having daytime when we are having nighttime to pray during those hours!! (You needed something to give you an extra smile—didn’t you?)
I want you to know that, like Trish, on Tuesday morning I was leading a group of mostly young moms (at our church) and I used the two of you and your family-Labor Day-Gatherings in one of my Sections as a significant example of a Practical, Intentional, Nurturing, including Scripture activity that you had brought us all into and how it has been filling us up with God’s presence, joy, Spirit, giving us vision, a sense of community and God’s power as we leave and go out into our individual lives. But, one of the biggest things—how we see it impacting our next generations—children, grandchildren, even for some, great-grandchildren—because you chose to be very intentional about bringing God, His love, His Word and His work into our lives during an always fabulously fun and food-filled weekend. (Of course . . . I titled the talk PINS and gave them great big brass-colored safety pins to urge them into action and to help them remember!—Hatpins seemed just too dangerous for young moms—I know you would agree! You can see that I am still trying to bring smiles.)
Psalm 48:parts of 9-14
9We have thought, O God, on Your loving kindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
10 According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
13bThat you (we) may tell it to the generation following.
14a For this is God, Our God forever and ever
Matthew posted part of this Psalm and the following prayer on his blog in May; I thought of you as I reread it this morning.
Lord, You are my God. In all that happens in and around my life, I turn my meditations to You – the only God.
Who is like You? Who is good and living like You? Who is patient and merciful like You? Who is righteous and just like You? Who is faithful and truthful like You? There is no one. Not in all the earth or in the expansive universe is there to be found any other being like You.
Around and within each moment, You are already here. I listen. I stop. You are already here. Like air that surrounds me unnoticed yet fills my lungs and brings me life, You are here bringing me life. Like sunshine that steadily glimmers over the waking earth bringing light and warmth, You are here lighting my life and warming my soul.
I rest and am still in Your presence
Trish and Neal, we know that you are filled up with God’s Word and His hope and that is how you continue to overflow with words to others of God’s working in your lives; we know that there are many lifting you up before God for healing and strength.
Maybe I should have sent this in a private email, but I decided to put it here on your blog . . .
Much love, Aunt Gene and Uncle Keith
We are glad that you put it our there! Thank you for your prayers and comforting words.